Furthering the faith

In jocular parlance, December is termed NRI (non-resident Indian) season, more so this year with the Iranshah Udvada Utsav (IUU) scheduled for the Christmas week (December 25-27). Havovi Dastoor, a member of the core team and wife of Udvada High Priest Dastur Khurshed Dastoor says the festival’s objective is "To get Parsis together without any restrictions on time... just getting into the mood and furthering faith in Iranshah... We are known for khao, piyo and maja (eat, drink and make merry) and this is one more occasion to demonstrate that … and of course with a religious aspect.” She adds that "Udvada would benefit by putting it on the (world) map and make it top of mind recall… we want it known everywhere and then build on the mileage.”
Registrations closed at 2,200 by October 31; entry to the first two days is restricted to those issued ID cards. Three hundred volunteers and 100 home guards from Gujarat will be in charge of security and law and order in the town. Parvez Irani from Dahanu and his team of 15 volunteers will once again be roped in to assist.
Hoshaang Gotla who is helping with infrastructural support informs us that for December 27, "various colonies and associations have organized buses for the people to come and participate in the festivities.” As Udvada has barely 70 hotel and dharamshala rooms, several flat owners have opened their homes to relatives and friends. Many delegates will commute from nearby Devka and Daman.
In a letter dated December 7 from Khurshed Dastoor to the chief minister of Gujarat, Anandiben Patel, that appeared on the website Zoroastrians.net, the priest expressed his concerns over a spate of recent house break-ins, endangering safety of residents. "On one hand I am taking the initiative to bring Udvada in the limelight as a center for peace and integrity as per the vision of our honorable Prime Minister. On the other hand, I am facing flak for not doing enough to secure its senior citizens whose security I am solely responsible for.”

Front view of Iranshah Photo: Jasmine D. Driver

Fun, frolic and fanfare
Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, chairman, Serum Institute of India has once again given a munificent amount and is the sponsor of the event as he was for the 10th World Zoroastrian Congress (WZC) in Bombay two years ago. He and his son Adar have confirmed their presence at the Utsav, Havovi states. Viraf Sarkari of Wizcraft, is offering services gratis for the event, both as media partner and for publishing literature. Most entertainers and professionals were offering their services pro bono, noted Havovi.
In an email dated December 15, Sarkari told Parsiana that he hoped the festival would be "a showcase of achievements... To celebrate our long history of accomplishments... I look forward to the line-up of performances, entertainment, art and culture, featuring some of the finest talents from our community, to set a standard which will make the IUU bigger and better each year.”
The Utsav begins on December 25 with registrations around 2 p.m., followed by a jashan in Uzirin gah at 3.30 p.m. Saurabh Patel, minister for energy and petrochemicals, civil aviation and tourism will inaugurate the IUU celebrations. Light entertainment starts at 6 p.m., with the singing of monajats, entertainment by Shiamak Davar and his group, a Gujarati play by Surat’s Yazdi Karanjia, an award ceremony for young achievers, karkaoke and DJ night with Aarish Daruwalla.
On December 26, there is a dance performance by Hormuz Khambatta and his group with singer Sheriar Attai, musical performance by Hormuz Ragina’s band, gigs by Neville Bharucha, songs by Farohar Group of Delhi, garbas by Bai Avabai Petit Girls School, a play by MEJMT Dharmagyaan Class, heritage walks around the town and a treasure hunt. Speeches by community stalwarts Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia, Noshir Dadrawala and Darius Khambata, and a Jiyo Parsi session with Dr Shernaz Cama are also on the cards. Vintage cars will be on display on December 26.
Actor Boman Irani is the chief guest on December 26. On December 27 Tata Sons chairman emeritus, Ratan Tata will be the guest of honor. Arun Jaitley, union minister of finance and corporate affairs, information and broadcasting will be the chief guest. Both Tata and Poonawalla will be felicitated.

Masked robbers captured on CCTV at a house in Udvada

The Global Working Group will assemble at the Udvada bungalow of Homai Engineer, chairman and managing director of Industrial Boilers Limited, to decide the next venue for the 11th WZC. Havovi emphasized the contribution of the 9th WZC chair, Meher Bhesania towards preparation of the Utsav. Havovi also responded that the "Udvada Athornan Anjuman has 100% involvement.” All the nine families that have sway on the Iranshah are involved, she insisted. Rumor has been circulating that there was some dissonance in the ranks and some parties felt they were not sufficiently involved in the organization. Dastur (Dr) Peshotan Mirza’s name, the other high priest of Udvada, "is not heard or read of” for the Utsav, claimed Dr Syrus Irani in an email dated November 29. Irani, however, notes that Mirza "is not keeping good health” and was absent at the November Fasli salgireh of Iranshah.
On the Gymkhana grounds, there is provision for 40 stalls of entrepreneurs showcasing garas, embroidered scarves, handkerchiefs, table cloths by Parsi artisans; food items from biscuits to bhakhras, chapat, patrel, etc. Even religious books and carpets are going to be on sale with motley other wares. The local women who aggressively sell their wares through the year, of papad, sariya, mint and local farm produce will be re-located on the way to the Gymkhana. Udvada currently supports about 120 domicile Parsis with a floating population which differs on special occasions and festive days. Now it will welcome 2,000-3,000 delegates on December 25 and 26, with the number possibly increasing to 5,000 on December 27.
The IUU committee would like to make the Utsav a bi-annual affair but it is too early to make any commitments, Havovi responded to a Parsiana query.